Penpa Tsering and Lobsang Sangay the two top leaders of the Central Tibetan Administration addressed a joint press conference on Apr 7. (Photo courtesy: tibet.net)

(TibetanReview.net, Apr09, 2016) – Following a recent remark by the Dalai Lama about declining morality in the Tibetan society as well as criticisms by the Tibetan state oracles Nechung and Tsering Chenga over regional and factional divisiveness underlying the recent Sikyong election campaigns, the two top leaders of the Central Tibetan Administration who happened to be the candidates have addressed a joint press conference on Apr 7, calling for unity among all Tibetans and an end to election related mudslinging that was still seen being continued online by few of their supporters.

Speaker Penpa Tsering, who spoke first, placed the issue in perspective, saying: “During the centenary celebration of Mentseekhang on Mar 23, His Holiness the Dalai Lama expressed concern on the declining morality of Tibetans. Similarly, the state oracles Nechung and Tsering Chenga issued an advisory recently, admonishing the election-related activities of the two candidates and their supporters which had a tone of regionalism and groupism, thus causing deep sorrow to His Holiness the Dalai Lama.”

And he then said, “Therefore, I offer my profound apology to His Holiness the Dalai Lama for the same.”

Saying there was no personal grudge between the two candidates, Penpa Tsering appealed to the public with folded hands to stop all election-related negative activities which were causing serious distress and disunity. “Whatever has happened in the lead-up to the election has already happened. We can’t change it anymore. What we can do now is think of the future,” the exile administration’s Tibet.net Apr 7 quoted him as saying.

Sikyong Lobsang Sangay, who has since won re-election as Sikyong, has also called for unity and urged everyone to cease all election-related negative activities to restore harmony and fulfil the vision of His Holiness the Dalai Lama.

He was quoted as saying: “The election is over now. I agree, that in the lead up to the election, there were a few unfortunate instances, which have caused sadness among the public. For that, I offer my sincere apologies.”

He also offered a public apology to the Dalai Lama saying: “Most important of all, I offer my deep apology for causing sorrow to His Holiness the Dalai Lama and pledge that the Kashag would move forward with resolute conviction and bearing His Holiness the Dalai Lama’s advice in our hearts, we will fulfill those noble ideals and aspirations.”

At the end, Speaker Penpa Tsering, speaking for the Sikyong as well, expressed regret and apologies to the Tibetans inside Tibet if the recent events had caused them disappointment and sorrow.